Rifle's Hammond 5th at Commonwealth Games

By Sara Wells

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July 29, 2014 04:45 PM

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Hammond

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University rifle coach Jon Hammond finished fifth in the men’s 50m 3 positions, today, at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre, in Carnoustie, Scotland, as a part of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

“Today was a really tough day. The match was long and I battled windy conditions,” said Hammond. “I’m happy to be finished, and the final was a great experience, especially with a home crowd. I can’t say enough about the great atmosphere. There were good and bad parts, but overall it was a great experience.”

Daniel Rivers of England won the Gold medal with a 452.9 final score. India’s Sanjeev Rajput and Gagan Narang won Silver and Bronze, respectively, with 446.9 and 436.8 scores.

Hammond placed 11th in the men’s 50m rifle prone yesterday with a 615.9 total over six series (102.5, 102.9, 104.0, 100.9, 103.7, 101.9).

“Yesterday wasn’t my best, so today was a better performance, and it was nice to shoot a final,” Hammond explained. “It has been a great experience representing Scotland at a home Commonwealth Games. I always learn things from my own matches, and I try to apply that when coaching the WVU student-athletes. Competitions like the Commonwealth Games are very valuable opportunities for me.”

The Commonwealth Games are an international, quadrennial event similar to the Olympics. Beginning in 1930, this year’s games mark the 20th competition between athletes from the members of the Commonwealth of Nations.